For all the 'Noisers here in the U.S., the big national story over the weekend was the acquittal of George Zimmerman. For those of you who may not know the details I'll do my best to sum it up:

On February 26, 2012, teenager, Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by a volunteer "community watch" member, George Zimmerman, while making his way back from the store. Zimmerman would not be charged with second degree murder until April 11, 2012 a full 45 days after Martin was killed.

Regardless if you feel that though the killing of a teenager by an adult with a gun is morally reprehensible yet legally valid in this situation (P.S. it's not), the fact that you'd even try to stretch this into a use-case for Google Glass and how it could have saved his life.

Advertisement

No. Trayvon Martin was stalked and killed by someone who had already decided that he did not belong in the gated community in which he was staying in. He was targeted, followed, and then shot to death by someone who determined from his car that a Black boy does not belong in his community. Google Glass would not have been an adequate shield against institutionalized racism. Period.

The "color of the light" indicating that it was activated would not have deterred Zimmerman from carrying and then using his Kel-Tec 9mm against someone he had pre-determined was a "punk" who "always gets away." Unfortunately the color of Goolge Glass's activation light would not have prevented Zimmerman from only seeing a Black "thug" as his defense team painted.

Advertisement

In a life or death situation most people's reaction would be flight or fight- not, "Glass. Take video." So sorry Eric Kuhn, technology is wonderful but it would not have saved his life. It would not have changed the opinions of an all white jury that Trayvon was just another "Black thug." To think otherwise is insensitive to Martin's family and memory. It is no different than asking a rape victim to Instagram the aftermath so we could all make a better informed decision.